Tooth band



July 9,1935. C, EBQYD ETAL 2,007,517

TOOTH BAND vFiled Feb. 15, 1935 Patented July Si), 1935 harl esldivard Boyd and Sidney Richardson,

f LosiA'ngeleaCalif.

` nppiieaiion February 15, 1933, serial No. 656,872

' s olims. (01.32-14) pliiy the construction of orthodontic. tooth bands andf toprovide a band having relatively simple, practical and efficient means for detachably securingthe fendsof the :band to each other and provided vvitlfi our improved form retaining the same in firm and substantial posi- ,i0 tion upon lthe tooth. to which the band is applied.

`lurther objects of our invention are to provide fastening and securingV means f or a tooth band that is devoid. of parts thatproject tosuch a degree' as to offer inconvenience tothe patient as a result of contact of the tissues ofthe lips-or tongue with rthe band attachingand securing means', and further, to provide a tooth hand that-may -beeasily `and quickly applied to the tooth without involving time and labor on the part of the orthodontist inl applying attaching means involving Iigatures, screws, nuts 'and the like.`

With the," our invention consists incertain novel Vjfeatures of construction and arrangements of fparts" that willv be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the Yac'"conipanying drawing in which: g j

Fig.v v1I` is a perspective view'ffof. a'tooth band I vof attaching and Seilring mai.

Fig'. 2 is an enlarged verticalfsection taken" on the lille 2'-;2 0f Fig. 1Q

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on ythe line 3--3or1iig.l. i

Fig. 4 isv an elevational' View partly in section or a modified form oilithe band securing means.

Fig. 5 is a cross lvsection tekenen the line 5-45 einige." y j j Fig. 6 is an velevationalviewof .aj portion of a tooth band and showing afurtner modified form of the attaching means. i L

Fig?? is' a vertioal'section takenonthe line 1-1 ofr'lg.-

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a portion of a tooth bandandshowing a vfurther modified form of the attaching means.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal 9-9 of Fig.8. f Fig. i0 is ari elevational view of a portion 'of` a tooth band andshowing a further niodifled forni ofthe attaching n'ieansQ` f Fig; 11 is a horizontal section taken on the line IIV---Hoi.1i1e'.10. v

1 Referring by numerals to Figsl, 2 and 3 of the foregoing and otherobjects in view, 7

Vteeth Il I rofinger .I3. section taken on the line accompanying drawing, which-illustrate'a preferred embodiment of our invention, I!) designates a tooth band of suitable metal such as gold, platinum of an alloy and which-band is slightly curved in cross section so' asto conform tothe 'curvature of the toothV to which theband is applied. This band is split transversely, as designated by II and the length of the band is such that when it is properly applied to the tooth, the

ends of the band will abut each other or occupy f positions immediately adjacent Vto each other.

Secured on the outer f ace of the band adjacent to one end thereof, is a transversely disposed strap I 2 land formed integral therewith and pro-r jecting toward and beyond the adjacent end of the band, isa narrow arm or finger I3, the lower edge of which is provided with a series of ratchet teeth I 4. Y

The straps I2 and finger I3 may be formed' integral with .each other as illustrated in the drawing,v or they may be separately formed and secured to each other'a'nd to the tooth bandjin anyfsuit'able manner, preferably by means of solder.

f Secured to the outer face of the opposite end portion ofVV the band are the end portions of a transversely disposed band I5, and formed therethrough is a horizontally disposed aperture I6 that `is adapted to receive the end of -nnge'r I3 whenV the band is properly applied to theV tooth. The engagement of the endof iinger I3 in vthis aperture provides an interengaging-connection at the ends of the band for maintaining the same in proper relation to each other and counteractingtendency of the ends volf the band to twist or move vertically relative to each other.

Secured to the outer face of band I0, just beyond the band I5, `is one end of a narrow strap or flat Wire i1 and said strap passes througha horizontally disposed slot or opening I'IEL -that is formed between strap `I5 and the tooth band.

The free end of this strap I'I projects slightly beyond the end of the band to which said-,strap is secured andformed on the free end of said strap,` is a tooth or hook I8, the point or which is adapted to engage in the notches between the The narrowband or i'iat -wire I'I is formed of resilient metal'so that theend thereof that is provided With the hookorv tooth likrnay` flex downwardly to permit the point of the tooth I8 'to when the ends of the band are drawn together.

the outer edges of the transverse bands I2 and I5, the ends of the band are formed toward each other, until the ends of said band abut each other or are positioned immediately adjacent to each other and during this operation, the tooth or point I8 on the resilient member I1, will ride past certain of the teeth I4 on strap I3 until the band is tightly set upon the tooth and the engagement of tooth I8 in one of the notches between the teeth I 4, will effectually secure the ends of the band to each other so as to hold the same firmly anchored upon the tooth.

The engagement of the end of nger I3 in thel slot or openings I1a holds the ends of the band in alignment with each other while being connected and while the tooth I8 is riding over the teeth I4.

While the band is being applied to the tooth as just described, the shoulders formed by the outer edges of the transverse bands I2 and I5 provide convenient bearings for the ends of the pliers or other instrument thatA is utilized inl drawing the ends of the tooth band together.

All parts of the fastening means, including the straps I2 and I5 and the members I3 and I1, are formed of thin flat metal and as a result there are no undue or objectionable projections on the band to interfere with or offer inconvenience to the tongue and tissues of the lips of the patient.

To remove the band from the tooth, itis only necessary to apply a suitable tool or instrument to the member I1 and flex the same to such a degree as to effect a disengagement of the hook I8 from the teeth I4 and when such disengagement is effected, the ends of the band may be readily moved apart so as to enable the band to be quickly removed.

In the modified construction illustratedV in Figs. 4 and 5, thin flat metal bands I9 and 20 are applied to the outer face of the tooth band 2| adjacent to its ends, so as to provide the necessary plier bearing shoulders and projecting from the intermediate portion of band I9, beyond the op,- posite end of the band, is a finger 22 provided on its upper and lower edges with small ratchet teeth This finger is split longitudinally as designated by 24 in order that the portions above and below the split may be flexed toward each other.

Formed integral with the intermediate portion of band 20, is a lateral extension 25 and formed through said band and extension, is a horizontally disposed opening for the reception of the slotted finger 22 and the upper and lower faces of this slot are provided with ratchet teeth 26 that are adapted to be engaged by the teeth 23 or finger 22 This arrangement provides a very strong and substantial connection between the ends of the band and to disconnect the ends of the band, a suitable tool is applied to the end of `the slotted finger 22 and the portions above and below the slot are flexed toward each other a sufficient distance to permit the teeth 23 to ride pastthe teeth 26.

In this construction, the engagement of finger 22 in the opening through band 20 and extension 25, firmly holds the ends of the band against twisting or vertical movements relative to each other while the band is being applied to the tooth.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, transversely disposed bands 21'and 28 of thin fiat metal are applied to the outer face of the tooth band 29 adjacent to its ends and projecting from the intermediate portion of band 21, beyond the opposite end of the tooth band, is

a finger 30 that is provided on its lower edge with ratchet teeth 3|.

Formed through the intermediate portion of band 21, is a horizontally disposed slot 32 that receives the finger 30 when the tooth band is positioned on the tooth and secured to the lower portion of band 2B, is the lower end of a thin flat spring 33, the upper end of which is adapted to engage theA ratchet teeth 3l l.when finger 30 kis inserted through slot 32.

When this form of attaching means is disengaged, the point of a suitable tool is positioned behind the upper end of spring 33 and the same is forced outwardly so as to effect a disengagement ofthe end of said spring with the ratchet teeth on finger 30.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, thin narrow metal bands 34 and 35 are applied to the outer face of the tooth band 36 adjacent to itsA endsand projecting from the n intermediateportion .of band 3l) beyond the opposite-end of the tooth band, is anarrow plate or finger 31.of resilienty metal that is provided on its outer face with a` series of ratchet teeth 38.

When the tooth band is positioned upon a tooth, finger 31 passes through a horizontally disposed slot or opening 39 thatV is yformed inthe intermediate portion of band and formed on :the outer edge of said band 35 is an inwardly projecting tooth 40- that is adapted to engage the teeth 38 on finger 31. I'he engagement of the nger 31 in theslot or opening 39 provides a substantial interengagement -of parts to hold the ends of the tooth band in proper alignment and to resist'relative twisting or vertical movements and to effect a disengagement of the connecting parts, it is only necessary to apply rearward pressure to the end of finger 31 so as to move said nger out of engagement with the restraining tooth 40.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, short horizontally disposed tubular members 4I and. 42 are secured on the outer face of the tooth band adjacent to its ends and tube 4I is internally threaded.

Mounted for rotation in tube 42, in the shank portion of a screw 43, the threaded portion of which is adapted to enter the internally threaded tube 4I. The rear end of screw 43 is provided with a non-circular head 44 for the reception of a socket wrench and said screw is retained for rotation within tube 42 by a split ringor collar 45 that enters a groove 46 formed in said screw and which split ring or collar is positioned immediately adjacent to the inner end of -tube 42.

In the various forms of our invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, we have shown the ends of the bands as abutting each other when properly .applied to the tooth, but it willbe understoodlthat if desired the various parts of the connecting means may be applied to the band. which is of very thin metal so that when the band is-appliedrto thetooth, its end portions will slide past each other and overlap as illustrated in Fig. 9..

Inasmuch as ythe bodies of the teeth to which the bands are applied bulge outwardly, @he bands before being secured on the teeth, may be shaped so as to conform to the bulging contour of the. teeth before being securedthereto and when the attaching means is properly secured, the bands, which are of thin metal, will snugly t the contour ofthe teeth and this result cannot vbe attained where the `bands`are not split'and are forced onto the bulging portionsl of the teeth.

Thus it will be seen that We'have provided an .orthodontic tooth and band having relatively. sirnple and compact means for securely connecting the ends of the band When the same is applied to the tooth and which fastening means is capable of being easily and quicklymanipulated to secure the band on'the tooth or to eect the removal of the band from the tooth.

An especially desirable feature of our improved tooth'band fastening means in the absence of projecting parts that would otherwise tend to produce discomfort to the patient and a furtherV advantage is the saving of time and labor on the part of the orthodontist in the manipulation of theband While the same isv being applied to or removed from the tooth. j

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of our improved tooth band may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described Without departing from' the spirit of the invention, the scope ofv which is set iorth in the appended claims. j

We claim as our invention: v

1. A tooth band,` comprising a strip of `metal adaptedrto encircle a tooth, a toothed member a toothed membersecured to said band adjacent to one end thereof, aresilient toothedmember engaging hook secured to the other end of said band andshoulders on the outer face of said band adjacent its ends.

3. The combination with a split tooth band, of a ratchet and detent connection carried by the ends of said band for holding the same in closed position and shoulders formed onthe outer face of.

said band adjacent to said ratchet and detent connection. v

4. A tooth band, comprising a split metal band transversely arranged strap secured on the outer face of said ring adjacent to its ends, a toothed nger secured to one end of said band on the outer face thereof, the strap on the opposite end vof the band being provided with an opening for `the end'of said toothed ng'er and a detent krnounted'on said tooth band for engaging said toothed nger when the ends of the band are drawn together.

.Y CHARLES EDWARD BOYD.

SIDNEY RICHARDSON. 

